Residents plead for commodity location

March 24, 2006

By Kevin Wilson: Quay County Sun

Volunteers with Quay County’s commodity program asked the Tucumcari City Commission for its help during Thursday’s regular meeting.

During the public comments segment of the meeting, Toni Blea requested that commodities still be distributed at the Tucumcari Recreation Center. The center has been a temporary distribution point while the normal distribution center, the Quay County Fair Barn, was receiving a new floor.

Blea said residents who depend on the commodities have made it known to her they prefer the recreation center because it is in a residential area and is easier to reach.

Commissioner Christopher Maestas also made a plea to the Commission, stepping down from his Commission spot during the time scheduled for concerns from residents.

“Continue to help them,” Maestas said before returning to his Commission seat, “because they do need help.”

The commissioners said they had no problem letting commodities be distributed at the recreation center, but that it was done due to a request for temporary help from the county. Mayor Mary Mayfield said there was no problem having City Manager Richard Primrose talk with county officials about the matter, but the final decision laid with the county.

“It’s a county program,” Mayfield said. “The county makes that decision.”

In other business at Thursday’s meeting:

• The Commission voted 3-2 to raise the charge for garbage collection by $1. The charge for each single family unit, effective immediately, moved from $11.53 per month to $12.53 per month, based on one bin with two collections per week. Maestas and Mayor Pro-Tem Antonio Apodaca voted against the measure.

• Commissioners unanimously approved the transfer of a liquor license from Conway Oil to Circle K Store No. 105 at 201 E. Tucumcari Boulevard. The store had been purchased by Circle K in mid-December and had been legally selling alcohol before the transfer was approved.

• Mayfield appointed commissioners to various liaison positions on city boards.